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We love us some repercussions, but this is weak sauce.
BOSSIP This case was first reported back in August, when the viral videos began to spread on all social media platforms. A Black man and his family having dinner at Applebee’s were wrongly accosted by Kenosha police, who suspected them of being involved in a hit-and-run accident. The situation deteriorated when two aggressive officers physically subdued Jermelle Engle Jr., 24, as he held his baby. English was repeatedly struck during the arrest. Officers also arrested English’s partner and the child’s mother, Shanya Boyd, along with five others who were standing nearby.
According to a Kenosha News The boys in blue, Luke Courtier and Michael Vences, were temporarily suspended because of their actions. Vences’ suspension lasted four days. The court ruled that his striking of English was illegal “reasonable,” But he could have done better. Courtier received a 10-day suspension after being found guilty of failing render medical aid to Boyd, who had been doused in pepper spray. He also wrote a poor police report on the incident.
Kenosha Police Department Statement Reads In part:
“The Kenosha Police Department is committed to providing the highest quality service to its citizens and guests. We strive to train our officers to the highest standard and will hold them accountable if they fall short of those standards.”
Prior to the news going public, Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton released a video on social media with the likely intent of keeping people’s heads cool.
Local activists aren’t here for the department’s platitudes. Tanya McLean is the Executive Director of Kenosha Leaders and says that the family has been humiliated due to the public arrests and use of excessive force. Moreover, she states that the two officers had not a lick of evidence or probable cause outside of the restaurant manager’s phone call. The manager who wasn’t involved in the hit-and-run accident in the first damn place.
“At the end of the day there was still no de-escalation. The situation was handled poorly,” McLean added that she believed the couple did not have a reason to talk with police officers about an accident. “All they had to do was sit there and enjoy their meals as paying patrons of a restaurant. … At the end of the day a family was harmed.”
This type of f***ery seems to be par for the course for Applebee’s locations in Kenosha…